Question

What is the SI unit of amplitude of oscillation?
A. km
B. m
C. cm
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The amplitude of oscillation is a magnitude of the maximum displacement. Therefore the unit of the amplitude of oscillation will be the SI unit of displacement that is meter denoted by m.

Complete Step-by-Step solution:
Oscillatory motion is repetitive and swings between two locations. For one dimensional motion, the maximum distance or displacement moved by a point on an oscillating system or wave in time, from its equilibrium position is called its amplitude as shown in Figure 1. The larger the amplitude of a wave then the more energy it is carrying. Amplitude is equal to half the length of the oscillating path.

Figure 1

Therefore the SI unit of the amplitude of oscillation will be the SI unit of displacement that is its meter denoted by m. But other units may also be used like centimeter (cm), kilometer (km), etc. So here option B is the correct option.

Note: For these types of questions first, try to recall the definition of the asked quantity then write the formula. Then write the SI unit of each of the variables in the formula to finally get the SI unit of the given value.